Meet the Team

The Thrifty Stitcher offers friendly sewing classes for aspiring DIY seamstresses and crafters. This small school in Stoke Newington is run by Claire-Louise Hardie, Author of “The Great British Sewing Bee- Fashion with Fabric” and an experienced Theatrical Costumier

Claire-Louise Hardie

Owner and Tutor6>

Originally trained as a Costume Designer at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Claire-Louise has worked in all aspects of Costume for Theatre, Film and TV.
In 2009 Claire-Louise began teaching sewing in Stoke Newington and through her teaching has regained a love of dressmaking for herself.
For the last 3 years she has combined her teaching and costume skills into her work as the Sewing Producer for BBC2’s ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’
She has just published her first Book- The Great British Sewing Bee- Fashion with Fabric

Rosie Smith

Tutor6>

Rosie teaches some of the beginner classes and dressmaking classes. Rosie trained as a Costume Maker and has worked in numerous wardrobe departments on shows including The Railway Children, The audience and Wicked. She also runs her own business Night Feather Designs, specialising in bespoke bridal wear and quality clothing alterations

Sophie Walker

Beginner class tutor6>

Sophie teaches some of the beginner classes and the appliqué classes. Sophie was inspired at very young age by her Mum and Grandma to sew and be creative. She studied printed textiles at Manchester Metropolitan University. Sophie has always worked in a creative capacity, and now squeezes working on her business Sew far Sew Good around working full-time.

Melissa Fehr

Knit fabric Tutor6>

Melissa teaches the Knit fabric dressmaking courses. A self taught seamstress who is crazy about running, Melissa launched her own range of exercise patterns in 2013. Melissa loves all things stretch, and particularly enjoys de-nystifying sewing with knit fabric and using an overlocker. She Blogs about her adventures in dressmaking over on Fehr Trade

Watch this video to discover how just a few sewing skills will help you transform your wardrobe

Want to know what it’s like to work backstage in London’s West End? Watch this day in the life of a Wardrobe Department on Million Dollar Quartet